Wooten, politics go hand-in-hand

It’s Wednesday, so let’s talk about Josh Wooten:

— Josh has been my friend for over 30 years. 

— He leads a strong Chamber of Commerce of 1,200 members. I cannot imagine a better business advocacy organization. My business would never have gotten off the ground without Josh and the Chamber.

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— When disaster strikes, Josh and the Chamber are first to help. Not just help but organize. The Chamber, Daystar, United Way of Citrus County…it’s because of these groups that no one in our community is forgotten.

— The Citrus County Chamber of Commerce is top dog, second to none, the real deal, the cat’s pajamas. They’re all that and a bag of chips.

— Josh is the best president the Chamber has ever had.

—So, what’s the issue? Politics. Josh has inserted himself so much in the local political scene this year that people are taking sides based on who he’s backing. 

— That’s why I’m bringing this up. Pro-Josh, anti-Josh, doesn’t matter to me. I just think we should talk about it.

— Josh is so into politics that his favored County Commission candidates — Stacey Worthington in District 2 and incumbent Rebecca Bays in District 4 — are both aided AND hurt by his backing. He's become that much of a lightning rod. 

— Josh’s employees, friends, and other supporters are fiercely loyal to him. He can do little wrong in their eyes. So, when Josh jumps into the political mosh pit, stirring up trouble to and fro, they either back him up or stay quiet. His extensive community presence has earned their loyalty time and again.

— Josh and Citrus County are one. His way of doing things might not match with everyone’s, but no one can doubt his sincerity to the community. He is EVERYWHERE, helping out. People are thrilled when Josh offers to show up for their cause, as he did Friday night at the Key Training Center's Reach for the Stars dinner auction.

— That means his opinions matter. Josh has helped fuel so much success in this county; other than political stuff, I don’t know anyone with an ill word against him. He knows how to get things done. His Chamber takes the lead on difficult community conversations. He's the first call for many in a crisis. And he knows this county's political history better than anyone other than yours truly and maybe that Mulligan guy.

— He also carries significant political influence. Here's one example:

The County Commission majority was with Sheriff Dave Vincent’s plan to take over the jail from CoreCivic. Not a done deal, but discussions were headed in that direction.

Until Josh stepped in. He wrote a Chronicle column in May about growth, and in it he suggested the county back off Vincent’s jail idea because the sheriff has much on his plate and it would be too expensive.

And, just like that, the jail idea was dead. The column ran in the weekend edition, and at the May 12 County Commission meeting (yes, THAT May 12 meeting), Bays and Commissioner Jeff Kinnard inexplicably changed their minds.

Vincent, who hasn’t given us a single reason to doubt his ability to do what he says, had a great plan and public support. He still couldn’t buffet the Wooten political machine. 

— True story:

When Just Wright Citrus broke open the 491 mess in April 2025, I knew that Wooten would blow a gasket, and he did. That I specifically mentioned Bays for her role only made matters worse.

That blog broke on a Wednesday. We followed with 491 blogs on Thursday and Friday. The Chamber lunch was Friday. Guest speaker? Commissioner Bays.

At the microphone, while listing the Chamber legacy supporters, Wooten made sure to mention that none of them sponsor Just Wright Citrus. Yes, he actually called out my business — a loyal and enthusiastic Chamber member — for ridicule in a public setting. 

— Despite that experience, I love the guy. We’re still friends. We’ll be friends after today. We’ve been through too much in this county to let, well, anything stop that friendship. Now, we agree on practically nothing, ESPECIALLY this political year. Makes it a little uncomfortable at times, but we’ll survive to battle another day.

— Few people carry a heart for Citrus County like Josh. Very, very few. Josh has earned his arrogance. His voice is significant, no doubt. How it's received? That's another matter. 

— The question: How much of this will impact Aug. 18? In this, the oddest of even-numbered political years, I just don’t know.

— Looks like a beautiful Wednesday. Enjoy it, friends.

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